Marina del Rey rejoining Fourth of July fireworks lineup

LOS ANGELES - An Independence Day fireworks show returns to Marina del Rey today after a one-year absence, while Rose Bowl officials seek donations to avoid the end of its long-running July Fourth event.

The Marina del Rey show was not held in 2011 because of budget cuts, but has been revived thanks to donations from area sponsors, Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe said. It is among more than a score scheduled in Los Angeles County on the Fourth of July, including an inaugural fireworks show in the Crenshaw district.

The 20-minute show will begin at 9 p.m. over the main channel in Marina del Rey, choreographed to patriotic music played over loudspeakers in Burton Chace Park and broadcast over KXLU-FM (88.9).

Burton Chace Park, Fisherman's Village and beaches in Marina del Rey and Playa del Rey will be the best viewing spots for the pyrotechnics, organizers said.

Americafest 2012, billed as Southern California's largest and longest- running Independence Day fireworks show, will be held for the 86th time at the Rose Bowl. It will honor Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, which seeks to assist veterans with health care, education and employment.

The Rose Bowl parking lots will open at 9 a.m. A festival with food vendors, entertainment, crafts, exhibits and inflatable rides for children will begin at 2 p.m. outside the stadium.

Gates will open at 6:30 p.m. Americafest 2012 begins at 7:15 p.m. and includes a motorcycle stunt show. A 30-minute fireworks show will begin at 9:05 p.m.

The Rose Bowl Operating Co. has asked residents in neighborhoods surrounding the stadium to make donations to "help ensure the financial stability" of the event, whose expenses "are greater than projected event revenues," Rose Bowl general manager Darryl Dunn said.

The 14th annual Fireworks Festival will be held at CBS Studio Center in Studio City. Gates open at 4:30 p.m. and close at 8 p.m. Petty Theft, a Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers tribute band, will perform, as will magicians Ariann Black and Brandon Scott. Also on the program is a fun zone with children's activities and a dunk tank where pirates and mermaids from Mutiny Magazine will be the victims.

The Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza will begin its first fireworks show at 9 p.m. Preshow activities will start at 5 p.m., including entertainment by DJ Paradise, a display of paintings by area artists, and a concert beginning at 6:30 p.m. with performances by the Polyester Players, Masta & the Edge of Soul and Madame Dee.

Fireworks will also follow the Los Angeles Dodgers-Cincinnati Reds game at Dodger Stadium, the Los Angeles Galaxy-Philadelphia Union Major League Soccer game at The Home Depot Center; the Lancaster JetHawks-Visalia Rawhide California League baseball game at Clear Channel Stadium; and the Barry Manilow concert at the Hollywood Bowl.

Fireworks shows are also scheduled for the following Los Angeles County locations, all beginning at 9 p.m., except where noted: